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Page updated
February 2004

Body Shell Repairs

Damaged body shells are unsightly, and can impair the car movement.

Most damage can be repaired simply and easily with "FENDER MENDER" and reinforcing tape.
An ideal reinforcing tape is the mesh tape which is used for joining/repairing plaster board. Available from most builders merchants and DIY stores.

The process

  1. First, clean the damaged area(s). A hole drilled at the end of a split will stop it spreading.
  2. Apply "fender-mender" to the two edges and fix them together - a bulldog clip makes a good clamp, but strong tape may be better for curved surfaces.
  3. When the repair is dry, apply a layer of "fender mender" to the inside surface and reinforce with overlapping layers of the repair/reinforcing tape
  4. When the repair is hard (30 minutes?), remove any 'overhang' or surplus material.
  5. Repaint if necessary/desired

If the damaged parts were carefully re-assembled, the body shape should be as good as new.
A little "fender mender" on the outside surface is inevitable and will add strength to the join.


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